Teen readers are smart, intuitive, and emotionally aware. They crave stories that feel real.
When authors write about youth facing challenges like foster care, adoption, homelessness, or identity struggles, they’re not just telling stories, they’re building bridges. These books give voice to experiences that are often unseen or misunderstood, helping readers develop empathy, compassion, and understanding.
And for readers who have lived those experiences? They offer something even more powerful: the comfort of recognition. The reassurance that they’re not alone.
The Power of Regina Jetleb’s “What About” Series
In her acclaimed “What About” series, author R. Jetleb dives deep into the realities of youth 
navigating complex emotional and social worlds.
Each book — What About Hailey?, What About Dylan?, and What About Lucas? — shines a light on themes of foster care, family upheaval, and resilience.
Through relatable characters and heartfelt storytelling, Jetleb invites readers to step inside these experiences. Her writing reminds us that every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and understood, even when their stories aren’t easy to tell.
For educators, parents, and teens alike, these novels spark essential conversations about belonging, trauma, and hope.
The “Mall Girl” Series: Stories of Survival and Self-Discovery
Jetleb’s “Mall Girl” series explores another side of real-world challenges: the hidden realities of youth homelessness and displacement.
Told with honesty and compassion, these stories reveal the courage it takes to survive when life doesn’t go as planned and the ways unexpected friendships and kindness can change everything.
By giving readers a glimpse into lives unlike their own, Jetleb encourages empathy and challenges stereotypes. Her books remind us that even in the darkest places, there’s always a flicker of hope.
Why YA Needs Stories Like These
Books like What About Hailey? and The Girl in the Mall aren’t just entertainment, they’re lifelines.
They help readers understand that life is complex, that good people can face impossible situations, and that kindness can make a difference.
In an age where young people are more connected online but sometimes feel more isolated than ever, stories rooted in real life offer something social media can’t: a safe space to explore emotions, identity, and belonging.
Bringing Empathy to the Page and Beyond
At Canadian Word Warriors, we believe fiction has the power to create change one story at a time.
Authors like Regina Jetleb remind us why we need writers who are brave enough to tell the truth, and readers willing to listen.
Explore Regina Jetleb’s What About and Mall Girl series today — available through writerontherun.ca.
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